Sen. Kristin Phillips Hill (R-York) joined The PLS Reporter for her second time as a freshman lawmaker. Phillips-Hill moved from the House to the Senate following November's elections and she is excited to bring her experience to a larger group of constituents.

A banner year for women in government moved Pennsylvania up five places for female representation in state legislative bodies.

The increase was among the biggest in all 50 states. Only four states saw a bigger percent increase in their women’s caucus, while only two, including New Hampshire and its 400-plus member legislative body, elected more new women.

Altogether, the House and Senate added 14 new women, per numbers from Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics.

State female politicos greeted the news with a mix of excitement for the gains and resolve, for Pennsylvania still sat in the bottom half for female representation, moving from 39th to 34th highest.